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7. These men explained to each other their intertion of going to the city; and after taking a glass of water and resting a short time at the tavern, they started on their way. When they came where the road divides, one said they must keep to the right hand, and the other said they must go straight forward; and so they stopped to reason about it.

8. Each was confident that his opinion was right, and was loud and positive in calling the other wrong. The more they talked, the more zealous they became ; and their zeal presently turned into anger, and their words into blows. They would fight a little while, and then stop, that each might ask the other whether he was not convinced. Then they would fight again, and then stop to rest.

9. Night came upon them while they were quarrelling, and they were ignorant that the sun had gone down. It was a dark and stormy night, and they could see neither one road nor another. They parted, however, each feeling sure that he was right.

10. They wandered about till morning, and then one was found on the way to Lower Canada, and the other to Lake Erie. They were still confident that they were on the direct road to Boston; and had become less willing than before to be told the right way. I suppose they are still travelling for the same purpose, and that each is continually growing more obstinate in his opinion, that his own way is the right way.

ERRORS.

1. evry for every. 2. contry for contrary. 3. wether or whuther for whether; refaum for reform. 5. persiss for

persists; hashly for harshly. 6. travlin for travelling. 8. upinion for opinion; pres'nly for presently. 9. staumy for stormy. 10. willin for willing.

QUESTIONS.

What error is to be avoided in sounding ou and ow? What is the awkward and vulgar way of pronouncing, found, sound, sour, our, out, about, loud, round, scout? What is the correct way of pronouncing the same words?

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RULE. In reading humorous pieces, i. e. such as excite laughter and merriment, the reader must not laugh at all. He should read to make others laugh, but not laugh himself. If those who listen, laugh so much as to prevent their hearing, the reader may pause till they suspend their laughter, and then proceed.

THE TRAVELLING MUSICIANS.

1. AN honest farmer had an ass, that had been a faithful servant to him for many years, but was now growing old, and more unfit to work; his master, therefore, was tired of keeping him, and began to think of rewarding his services by putting him to death.

2. The ass, who saw that some mischief was in the wind, took himself off slyly, and began his journey to

wards Bremen, for there, thought he, I may chance be chosen town musician.

3. After he had travelled a little way, he saw a dog panting by the road-side. What is the matter with you ?' said the ass. 'Alas!' replied the dog, 'my master was going to knock me on the head, because I am grown too old to be useful to him; so I ran away : but what can I do to earn my bread ?'

4. 'Hark ye,' said the ass; 'I am going to Bremen, to turn musician; suppose you go with me.' The dog said he was willing, and they both went on together.

5. They had not gone far, when they saw a cat in the middle of the road, and making a most mournful face. Pray, my good lady,' said the ass, 'what is the matter with you? you look quite out of spirits.'

6. How can I be in good spirits when my life is in danger? Because I am growing old, and would rather lie still than run about the house after the mice, my mistress was going to kill me, if I had not beet lucky enough to escape; but I do not know what to live upon.'

7. 'Oh,' said the ass, 'by all means come with us to Bremen ; you are a very good singer; in that way we may make our fortune.' The cat was pleased with this thought, and joined the party.

8. Soon afterwards, as they were passing by a farmyard, they saw a cock perched upon a gate, and screaming with all his might. Bravo!' said the ass; 'upon my word you make noise enough; pray what is

all this about?'

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9. Why,' said the cock, 'I was just saying that we should have fine weather for our washing day; and yet

my mistress the cook don't thank me for it, but threatens to cut my head off, to make broth for the guests that are coming on Sunday.'

10. 'Oh fie!' said the ass; 'come with us, master chanticleer; it will be better than staying here to have your head cut off: besides, if we sing in tune, who knows but we may get up a concert so come along with us.' 'With all my heart,' said the cock.

11. They could not reach the town the first day; so when night came, they went into a wood to sleep. The ass and the dog laid themselves down under a shady tree; the cat climbed up into the branches : the cock, thinking the higher he got the safer he should be, flew up to the top; and, according to his custom, before going to sleep, he looked out on all sides of him.

12. In doing this he saw a light, and called out to his companions, and said there must be a house at no great distance off, for he could see a light. If that be the case,' said the ass, we had better change our quarters, for our lodging is not the best in the world.'

13. 'Besides,' said the dog, 'I should not be the worse for a bone or two:' so they walked on to where chanticleer had seen the light. As they drew near, it became brighter, till they came close to the house, where a gang of robbers lived.

ERRORS.

1. rewauding for rewarding; puttin for putting. 3. goin for going. 4. tuggether for together. 6. ruther for rather. 7. jined for joined; pahty for party. 9. guess for guests. 11. fust for first. 12. quawters for quarters.

What is the Rule?

QUESTIONS.

What does lon. stand for? M.P.? Mr.? Messrs.? MS.? MSS.?

N.? N.E.? N.W.? No.? Obt.?

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RULE. Above all things, while you are reading or talking, avoid thinking of yourself, and imagining that those who hear you, will have a high opinion of you. Think of the subject upon which you are reading or speaking; and endeavor to read or speak for the pleasure and benefit of your hearers, and not to gain their good opinion.

THE TRAVELLING MUSICIANS -- concluded.

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1. THE ass being the tallest of them, marched up to the window and peeped in. Well, donkey,' said chanticleer, what do you see?'

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2. What do I see?' rejoined the ass: 'I see a table spread with all kinds of good things, and robbers sitting round and making merry.' That will be a noble lodging for us,' said the cock. Yes,' said the ass, 'if we could only get in.'

3. So they consulted together how they should get the robbers out. At last they hit upon a plan; the ass placed himself upright upon his hind legs, with his fore

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